Drum to disc brake conversion OPEN KNUCKLE Dana 44.

Here is what I have gleaned about this conversion from the power of the interweb.

To change from drums to discs on my 1973 open knuckle half-ton Dana 44, I can use Chevy backing plates and calipers, a Scout II rotor, and a Ford F-150 hub. This will allow me to use the stock stub shafts and spindles.

I can also use Chevy spindles and stub shafts and a F-150 rotor.

I could swap out my front axle for a Dodge Dana 44 with the correct bolt pattern.

I could swap in a Chevy front axle and use F-150 hubs and rotors to give it the correct 5 lug bolt pattern.

All Chevy parts must be the older, small bearing style.

Jeff Jamison and Tom Mandera, does all this sound correct? Most of my info comes from your posts.

Yes thats what I have on my 73 travelall for a few years now,and over 20,000 miles.You will have to slightly machine the ford hub for the scout rotor(I used a brake drum lathe,when you try to put the scout rotor on you will see what needs machined)I did have one set of pads that wouldnt fit,could have sanded them down,just bought a different brand.
But all the options you have will work,just make sure you change the master cylinder(74 travelall or 73 2 wheel drive that had disc brakes)and replace your brake distribution block with a porportioning valve(I used a scout one)
Jeff

You can see the axle shaft u-joints on an open knuckle front axle. Closed knuckle just has a ball, the entire axle shaft is enclosed, including the joint. In the full-size IH trucks, anything before 1970 has closed knuckles, as with most IH products, there seems to be no hard and fast cut off year.

You can see the axle shaft u-joints on an open knuckle front axle. Closed knuckle just has a ball, the entire axle shaft is enclosed, including the joint. In the full-size IH trucks, anything before 1970 has closed knuckles, as with most IH products, there seems to be no hard and fast cut off year.

Do you have years at all for the parts? I am looking to do the same swap, and am going to the local U-Pull-it tomorrow morning to look for parts. I have a 78 Dana 44 with drums on all 4 corners.

I am looking to do this option :To change from drums to discs on my 1973 open knuckle half-ton Dana 44, I can use Chevy backing plates and calipers, a Scout II rotor, and a Ford F-150 hub. This will allow me to use the stock stub shafts and spindles.

If you have a Scout II, you need different parts than what I used, I think. I don't think your spindles have 6 bolts like the truck Dana 44. Do a search on here, look for posts by Jeff Jamison and Tom Mandera. Search "Drum to disc conversion Scout".

If you are doing it on a scout with drums,you do need different parts,all you need is the parts off of a disc brake scout,it will all bolt on,I would grab the knuckles out and put new ball joints in
Jeff